The Top 5 Disney Birds

This list does not include any ducks (See the Top 5 Disney ducks list) or Muppets (Sorry, Sam). Also apparently birds travel in flocks. And now as they say “On with the show!”

5. The Orange Bird – Originally conceived as a marketing campaign, the Orange Bird outlived its sponsor (at least in the Disney Parks) and then disappeared for a while. However, like a phoenix from the ashes, it came out of obscurity and fans can now find the Orange Bird on lots of merchandise in Disney Parks.

4. Owl – Yes, he is a blowhard know-it-all, but that is just who he is. And everyone in the Hundred Acre Wood accepts him that way.

3. Orville and Wilbur – The Rescuers had to fly Albatross Airways to rescue Penny from Madame Medusa in 1977. In Rescuers Down Under, the actor who voiced Orville, Jim Jordan, was no longer alive. Rather than replace him and use the same bird, the animation team came up with Wilbur, Orville’s brother, with John Candy doing the voice.

2. Mr. Blue Bird – It’s a traditional Disney anthem, almost as ubiquitous as When You Wish Upon a Star. Mr. Blue Bird is on your shoulder and in Splash Mountain.

1. The Enchanted Tiki Room Birds – The original audioanimatronics, the Tiki Room was originally slated to be a restaurant and show. That was scrapped, but guests can still go in with a Dole Whip and enjoy air conditioning. While Walt Disney World’s version experienced some unwelcome changes, word is that the Disneyland version has been left alone out of respect for Walt and his daughter Diane. Without the Tiki Birds, there may well have never been a Lincoln, a Pirates of the Caribbean or a Haunted Mansion.

Honorable mention: Dumbo Crows, Kevin, the Seagulls from Finding Nemo and the Boothill Boys.​Who did we miss? Who should we change?